Storm in a teacup.

[francesw47]

On Tuesday I had overnight chest pain - hx of unstable angina which cardiologist thinks may be small vessel angina, but has not investigated yet. It all started after AVR went wrong 4 years ago, I suffered circulatory collapse post surgery and needed an emergency triple by pass. I ended up with damaged left ventricle in areas related to my left coronary artery. In simple terms, Heart Failure. I manage well on the whole. Recently I have been getting increasing problems with puffy ankles and slight weight gain, increase in breathlessness and reduced exercise tolerance. I went to see GP on Thursday morning. As soon as I said chest pain = boom. ECG, which showed some changes and she packed me off to hospital. They were wonderful, really. Went straight from A and E to Acute Medical and given a chair then a bed. Chest X ray - thankfully clear - and troponin, normal both times. I knew it was not a heart attack but an episode of angina. Consultant agreed. They wanted one last ECG and the dr that saw the results suggested I stay in, they were not happy with the ECG. Overnight I had an episode of very low blood pressure (they think caused by slight increase in furosemide) so probably as well I was in hospital. Stayed all day Friday, had very very intelligent conversation with cardiologist who asked for D Dimer to be sure there were no blood clots in my lungs causing the blood pressure drop. We agreed that my ECG is now abnormal - and always will be. and I need to let the GPs know this and for them to use the ECG done on Thursday as a baseline against which to measure any changes. The hospital where I now live will also do an echo so that they have full record on their system in case of need in future. There were changes = I keep a copy of an ECG done in 2020 as a baseline - which need investigating. And the dropped blood pressure - probably a combination of things including the heat, not enough to drink and so on. But this morning I can see my ankles!

I just want to say a huge thankyou to all the wonderful wonderful staff in that A and E department and acute medical unit. What an amazing workforce. Without exception they were overworked, clearly exhausted but caring. The nurses were amazing - young women mostly, some students, all really trying to do a good job in pretty awful circumstances. There were patients everywhere - sitting in chairs and in A and E standing. It was very humbling.

[Kristin1812 Heart Star]

Thats so good to hear. Not the NHS bit…..thats exactly my experience, and, as you say, very humbling. And not right. What a great set of people. I read that nearly 170,000 staff left the NHS in England last year, and who can blame them?

But back to you…..It’s really brilliant they helped you so well, through yet another extremely worrying episode. And you are so positive. Good to hear .

[francesw47 in reply to Kristin1812]

Thanks Kristen. Yes, I was very impressed by a lot of things. But I was listened to and my opinion mattered in my care. I am pretty familiar with my symptoms and know that this is progressive, but I do my level best to make sure that deterioration is slow. But it was brilliant to find that I was treated as a partner in what was going on. After all, I will have to manage all this when I am home.

[Kristin1812 Heart Star in reply to francesw47]

Yes, a partnership is really what works best for me, too. And I suspect for most medics, too? Being listened to and working out together what might work best, for you.

Reading your post I was so impressed with your positive approach to the future. I think we have a choice, when faced with medical problems. We can either react well, and get the best out of it, or we can give up, and get the worst. Its our choice! Our reaction is up to us. For me, your post reads as a good example of getting the best.

[francesw47 in reply to Kristin1812]

Thankyou.

[Lezzers]

Good to hear you've been well looked after by the hospital, my husband has had a few emergency hospital stays this year & really can't fault the care he was given from A&E to acute medical care, they've all been incredibly caring.

Also good to hear you can see your ankles again, furosemide definitely affects your BP. We're hoping that now my husband is off it, yet again! That his BP will improve enough for him to go up to the next level of Entresto 🤞

You probably already do so but can I suggest you keep a copy of your latest ECG with you at all times. It enables paramedics & hospital staff to see immediately if there's been any changes, both paramedics & dr's in resus asked if we had a recent copy with us.

[Kristin1812 Heart Star in reply to Lezzers]

Yes, I keep the most recent copy with me, too. Needed less as technology changes, some Paramedics have my most recent ECG on-line. They are always happy to print me an extra one.

[Lezzers in reply to Kristin1812]

I agree technology is great as I think most hospital etc can now access your notes quite easily. A paper copy is great in the event of an emergency as it's immediately available.Strangely enough, one part of the A&E department of the local hospital will not give you a copy of your ECG, apparently they're not allowed to 🤷‍♀️ but the other side of A&E are happy to give a copy! And Papworth give you a copy of every ECG they do, as part of your discharge papers!

[francesw47 in reply to Lezzers]

Oh I arrived in A and E with a library of notes and letters! The young GP I saw photocopied just about everything and sent me with a handwritten explanatory letter for A and E. The registrar I finally saw commented on how helpful it was. Yes, furosemide known to knock BP for six.....I will have to be careful. Thanks for the thought about keeping a baseline ECG with me at all times....I routinely carry my repeat prescription request but thats a great idea. Hope Kevin is better than earlier this year.

[Lezzers in reply to francesw47]

As Kristin says, paramedics & hospitals can access your records but if you've got a paper copy than it's immediately available in the event of an emergency. Unfortunately we've had to call out paramedics a few times this year and they've always asked if we have an up to date copy & of course the latest prescription.

Considering how poorly he's been this year, Kevin is doing very well. He's getting hospice support now & that is really helping him massively. Thank you for asking.

There's heat health warning out for large parts of the country today which is a bit worrying, so stay safe X

[francesw47 in reply to Lezzers]

Thank you Kristen and Lezzers. Great ideas...I have put the latest ECG and the baseline and the library of letters and prescription slip into a plastic wallet - its now in my bag.

[Milkfairy Heart Star]

I am sorry to hear you have been in hospital.Thank you though, for sharing your positive experience of the care you received.

The staff listening with care, respecting your expertise in your heart condition and working with you as an equal partner is so important.

[francesw47 in reply to Milkfairy]

I could not agree more. But I am increasingly impressed with the new young drs ....no airs and graces in my experience (others may have had different) but really wanting patients to care for themselves and willing to have conversations with them.

[francesw47]

Thank you BeKind. You too.

[Yumz199725]

Aw wow you was looked after really well thank goodness you went to your GP. Sorry to hear about abnormal ECG and low blood pressure thank goodness you was in hospital when that happened. Hope your feeling better x

[francesw47 in reply to Yumz199725]

Thankyou, I am back on form!

[bludnut]

Your comments on the NHS are what many more are saying, they deserve all the thanks we can give.I am glad that you seem to be getting things under control and that doctors have listened to you. In my experience that is not always the case,especially the older we get.

bludnut

[francesw47 in reply to bludnut]

Hi Yes, I quite agree. Its a shame that older people are not more respected. Particularly older women. The older I get (I'm 70) the more assertive I get and I am pretty good at getting my point across - I've been dismissed too many times in the past. I have learned a lot from the people on here who know way more than I and am not afraid to ask questions as well. Hope you are well.